Marty Coleman

Marty Coleman

marty@napkindad.com

Website: http://www.napkindad.com/

   Glenpool, OK

Marty Coleman (me) is the creator of the Napkin Dad drawings. I am a full-time artist and photographer living in Glenpool, Oklahoma (known the world over as the town that made Tulsa famous) with my wife, Linda. Also in cohabitation are wiggle dog, stubby dog, and normal cat.

I am the owner and artist behind ‘MAKE Studio’ with a focus on Photography and Design.  I maintain an active career as an exhibiting artist with an exhibition of my photo-collage work slated for January 2012 at Living Arts Gallery in Tulsa.

I got my start as an artist when my Grandfather, Buck Powell, who was an amateur artist, began teaching me how to draw around the age of 5.  From then until now it’s what I do.  My mother and father encouraged me and I had gathered 2 degrees in art as I reached young adulthood.

After spending 9 years teaching art at the college level I went in the new direction of computer art, eventually spending 14 years in interactive and internet design before moving into my present work as an artist out on my own.

During that time I was married and the proud father of 3 daughters (for whom I drew the original napkin drawings).  After a divorce I remarried and had the good fortune of gaining a fourth daughter. My four daughters are all up and grown now, living all around the country and making me proud in every way.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

What did the Fellowship or Laureate mean to you at the time you received it?

It was a huge boost to my career and provided finances to complete more work.

What do you do now? Has your art evolved or changed?

I am a working artist, photographer and owner of two companies. At Napkin Dad Press, I run a blog called The Napkin Dad Daily, sell merchandise, and speak nationally on a variety of topics from creativity to change to parenting. I also own MAKE Photography and Design Studio where I produce photo-collage work for exhibition at the gallery and museum level, as well as commissioned personal portraits. Also under this umbrella I do Creativity Coaching for artists needing a jump start in their artistic endeavors. To see what I?m up to, go to: http://napkindad.com/blog/articlesinterviews/

What is one piece of advice you would give to an emerging artist?

Follow through with all contacts and opportunities with more diligence and more perseverance than you think is wise. If you want it YOU have to push for it, again and again and again.

Briefly, how would you describe the state of the arts locally, as well as national and beyond?

positive but fragmented and shortsighted.